Timber- Bamboo
Every year the state produces more than 2.5 lakh cubic meter of timber, two lakh cubic meter of fuel wood and about 65 thousand notional tonnes of bamboo. The 'Teak' ( Tectona grandis) timber of Madhya Pradesh is world famous for texture, colour and grain qualities. It is best suited for furniture making and house construction.
About MPMFP Federation
The State Minor Forest Produce Federation at Bhopal was established in 1984. It is the nodal agency for the production and processing of non timber forest produce. It is the apex co-operative body comprising 61 District Co-operative Unions and 1066 Primary Co-operative Societies all over the state.
The Federation is continuously striving to empower the village level institutions through various schemes and activities. A number of projects funded by various departments of the Government of M.P. and Government of India are being implemented by the Federation in the areas of conservation, cultivation & processing of NTFPs.
Tendu Leaf
The state produces about 25 lakh standard bags of tendu leaves every year, which is about 30% of the national production. The state has a monopoly over collection and trade of tendu leaves. The collection of tendu leaf provides employment to about 15 lakh people during the hot summer season when employment availability in agriculture is low. Tendu leaf collection operations yield an income of about Rs. 145 crore every year to the forest dwellers.
Other Minor Forest Produce
The state has trade monopoly over sal seeds and kullu gum with an annual production of about 1200 tonnes and 300 tonnes respectively. The production potential of Mahua and Aonla is 6000 tonnes and 5000 tonnes respectively.
Besides being a pioneer in herbal production and processing, the State of Madhya Pradesh has also taken a lead in the utilization and value-addition of many other minor forest produce. Lac is one such produce, which is becoming popular not only in India but also in the International market.
Innovative Measures
The production of natural fiber like sisal and sabai is also gaining momentum. Honey, Aonla Murabba and Sharbat, Ayurvedic medicines etc., are some of the fields in which the village level groups have made good progress. Encouraged by these successful initiatives a Centre of Excellence for Processing, Research and Training has been set up at Bhopal. By the name of MFP- Processing and Research Centre (MFP- PARC), this is GMP and ISO-9001:2000 certified unit of the Federation and is now manufacturing more than 200 Ayurvedic medicines, besides processing wild honey on a large scale. To provide an umbrella, all value added items are being marketted under the brand "Vindhya Herbals". It is expected that in the coming years, about 25,000 new job opportunities will be created in Non Wood Forest Produce (NWFP) and allied sectors.
High Tech Plantation Scheme has been introduced aiming at the production of high quality timber with a short rotation of the economically viable species such as teak, bamboo, etc.
Lok Vaniki Mission has been formulated for the management of the tree clad areas of the individual farmers for the twin benefit of the environment and economic betterment of the people.
People's Protected Area (PPA) – An initiative to enrich the forest areas with medicinal plants by facilitating in situ conservation and ex situ propagation involving people. This is proving to be an extremely important tool for socio - economic upliftment of the forest dependant communities.
Encouraging Private Participation
The investment opportunities in the sector are many and the state has opened them up for private enterprise.
The state is encouraging ecotourism and adventure tourism in and around National Parks, Sanctuaries and other forest areas. About 50 such potential sites have been identified for development. List can be seen at MP State Eco-tourism Development Board's website.
Areas of Private Participation
• Contract farming initiatives with farmers for production of medicinal and aromatic plants.
• Contract marketing initiatives with Primary MFP Cooperative Societies.
• Setting up big processing units for Timber, Bamboo, Paper and NWFP in the state.
• Collaborative manufacturing under agreed specifications.
Commercial Plantation Scheme
Commercial Plantation Scheme aims to increase forestry production by creating plantation of species of higher economic value such as teak and bamboo for use of industrial and commercial purposes. Madhya Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation has undertaken plantations on 2,22,275 ha.
Content Courtesy : MP Madhyam.